西交•通全球暑期学校（XJTISS）课程通知

筑见乡土——传统建筑技艺与乡村振兴的多维对话

Architectural Homecoming:

A Multidimensional Dialogue on Traditional Architectural Techniques and Rural Revitalization

Welcome to the " Architectural Homecoming: A Multidimensional Dialogue on Traditional Architectural Techniques and Rural Revitalization" Lecture Series! This event fosters a transdisciplinary convergence of ideas across time, disciplines, and practices. Whether you are an architecture student or a learner interested in cultural heritage and rural development, you will gain unique perspectives and inspiration here.

WHY CHOOSE?

✓ Multidimensional Dialogue
Break disciplinary boundaries by integrating architectural techniques, cultural anthropology, and rural revitalization practices. The course establishes a "Technology-Culture-Practice" tripartite model, offering a holistic understanding of vernacular architecture’s value.

✓ Temporal-Spatial Narrative
Trace the historical evolution of traditional craftsmanship, examine Western scholarly interpretations of Chinese villages, and explore contemporary rural innovation cases. This progressive structure builds a comprehensive knowledge framework.

✓ Theory in Practices
Each theoretical concept is paired with real-world case studies, providing actionable insights for both research and practical applications.

CONTENTS:

The eight lectures are organized into three thematically interconnected modules:

Module 1: Decoding Craftsmanship
This module delves into the scientific principles and cultural significance of traditional architectural techniques. Through 3D animations, artisan oral histories, and other dynamic formats, specialized content such as mortise-and-tenon joints and rammed-earth construction is rendered tangible and accessible.

Module 2: The Gaze From Westerners
Introducing Western architectural perspectives, this module establishes cross-cultural frameworks for understanding Chinese vernacular architecture. Comparative analyses of spatial cognition in village layouts and divergent heritage conservation philosophies between China and the West are highlighted.

Module 3: Translating Tradition into Practice
Focusing on innovative adaptations of traditional techniques in contemporary architecture, this module expands the discourse to rural revitalization. Case studies—including age-friendly design, boutique民宿 (minsu) economies, and cultural tourism initiatives—demonstrate multifaceted approaches to rural development.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

✓ Architecture and Planning Students — Expand theoretical frameworks and master case study methodologies
✓ Humanities and Social Science Scholars — Decipher the cultural logic and societal significance embedded in architectural practices
✓ Rural Revitalization Practitioners — Source innovative approaches and bridge academic insights with actionable strategies

Complete eight lectures to receive an International Summer School certificate issued by Xi'an Jiaotong University.

OUR LECTURERS:

1. Yupeng WANG

Professor Yupeng Wang (Canada), School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering at Xi'an Jiaotong University. He has a wide range of research experiences including Environmental Modeling and Evaluation, and Green Building Design. He has published more than 50 journal papers, and he has received a “Hundred Talents Project” of Shaanxi Province, China, “Person of the Year” from Scientific Chinese magazine in 2018, “AIUE-O Prize” from Asia Institute of Urban Environment and “Award of Excellence Young Scholar” from The International Society of the Built Environment. He currently serves as an Associate Editor of Urban Climate, Editorial Board Member for Indoor and Built Environment and the other internation journals.

2. Sok Yee YEO

Sok Yee Yeo (Singapore) is an Associate professor and doctoral supervisor of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China. Trained in Biology and Architectural conservation, she is an expert member for the ICOMOS International Wood Committee and IUCN-WCPA World Heritage Specialist Group. She is currently offering two historic building conservation courses taught in English at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Francesca ZANOTTO

Francesca Zanotto is an Italian architect and researcher based in Milan, currently serving as a RTDa (fixed-term researcher) and Assistant Professor of Architectural and Urban Design at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies of Politecnico di Milano, within the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), and visiting professor of Architectural Design at Xi'an Jiao Tong University – Politecnico di Milano Joint School of Design and Innovation. Since 2013, she has been actively engaged in research, teaching, and design both in Italy and internationally. She holds a Ph.D. cum laude in Architectural, Urban, and Interior Design from Politecnico di Milano; she served as visiting researcher at TU Delft and postdoctoral researcher at Università Iuav di Venezia, focusing on the concept of metabolism in architecture, resource consumption in building processes, supply chains, and material politics. Within NBFC, her current research activity centers on the ecological implications of architectural design, specifically exploring forms of built environment production that contribute to the conservation and enhancement of urban biodiversity.

3. Shanyao ZHU

Shanyao ZHU is an Associate professor and Master supervisor at Department of Architecture Design in School of Human Settlement, Xi’an Jiaotong Universtiy. She holds a Ph.D. in Architecture from Southeast University, a Master of Architectural Design from the University of Bath (UK), and a Bachelor of Architecture from Chongqing University. She serves as the Course Coordinator for Architectural Design I and Architectural Design II at the XJTU-Polimi Joint School. Her long-term research and practice focus on urban regeneration and rural revitalization, and has been leading Xi’an Jiaotong University’s summer social practice program for many years.

4. Gerardo SEMPREBON

Gerardo Semprebon is an architect and assistant professor at the Politecnico di Milano. PhD at the same university and the Shanghai Jiao Tong University, he is interested in contemporary architecture and design strategies for revitalizing rural settlements. He conducts research and teaching in architectural design at the Politecnico di Milano and Xi'an Jiao Tong University.

5. Zhang QU

Zhang QU is Associate professor and Master supervisor at College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, and National First-Class Registered Architect of China. He got Bachelor of Architecture from Tongji University, Master and PhD in Architecture from Tsinghua University. He was the visiting researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. QU’s research fields are architectural programming and post-occupancy evaluation, as well as architectural design in the rural context.

6. Stamatina KOUSIDI

Stamatina Kousidi is an Associate Professor of Architectural and Urban Design at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano, where she is a member of the board of the PhD program in Architectural, Urban and Interior Design. She teaches Architectural Design at the AUIC School of the Politecnico and at the XJTU-Polimi Joint School, across both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. She has previously held postdoctoral research positions at Politecnico di Milano, ETH Zürich (Institute for the History and Theory of Architecture) and jointly at Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Hochschule Anhalt. She holds a PhD from Sapienza University of Rome and an MPhil degree in Architectural Design – Space – Culture from the National Technical University of Athens. Her research focuses on the relationship between architecture and the environment, exploring projects, histories and theories of environmental sustainability, as well as vernacular buildings and settlements as models for contemporary design.

7. Lorenzo CECCON

Lorenzo Ceccon (Italy) is assistant professor at the Politecnico di Milano, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies. He holds a PhD in Urban Planning, Design and Policy, with a dissertation on the impact of ubiquitous artificial intelligence on public space, and has previously graduated in Architecture at the same university. His work focuses on architectural representation, advanced surveying, and the integration of AI and multimodal data in design workflows. At the XJTU–POLIMI Joint School in Xi’an, he teaches Fundamentals of Representation and DigiSkills. He is a member of the Sino-Italian Joint Laboratory for Sustainable Urban and Rural Heritage Conservation and Regeneration, where he develops experimental workflows involving drone-based photogrammetry, neural rendering, semantic databases and generative models. He is also active in PRIN-funded research on urban representation and AI-supported knowledge modelling.

LECTURES SCHEDULE

FORMAT：

Online lecture series, delivered entirely in English (via Microsoft Teams).

SCHEDULE:

Registration Deadline: July 14, 2025

Lecture Schedule: As the timetable above. Any changes will be notified by QQ or email.

ELIGIBILITY:

Undergraduate and graduate students worldwide in architecture, urban planning, and related management fields may apply. Lectures also open to all individuals with an interest in the lecture topics.

The course is offered free of charge.

REGISTRATION:

Peolpe interested in this course should click the registration link: https://hsce.xjtu.edu.cn/info/1032/13488.htm

Join our QQ group for more course information:

482793980                                               1049303989

CONTACT：

　　ZHU Shanyao

　　E-maill：arch_homing_xjtu_iss@163.com